Remote nanoscale photochemistry using guided emission in nanowires

Abstract

A method of fabricating a nanodevice includes providing a nanowire having a first portion and a second portion. The nanowire has a polymer coating. A nanostructure is provided that is proximate to the second portion of the nanowire. Solely the first portion of the nanowire is irradiated with near-infrared radiation, thereby exciting the first portion to generate ultraviolet radiation. The generated ultraviolet radiation is guided from the first portion along the nanowire toward the second portion, so that a region of the polymer coating on the second portion is polymerized and bonds the nanostructure to the nanowire.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of guiding radiation in a nanowire, comprising the steps of:
 providing a nanowire having a first portion and a second portion; 
 irradiating solely said first portion of said nanowire with near-infrared radiation, thereby exciting said first portion to generate ultraviolet radiation; and 
 guiding the generated ultraviolet radiation from said first portion along said nanowire toward said second portion so that said guided ultraviolet radiation is emitted from said second portion at a location remote from said first portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of providing a nanowire having a polymer coating, wherein said polymer coating is polymerized by said emitted ultraviolet radiation to form a polymerized region extending outwardly from said second portion of said nanowire. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said nanowire comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of silver, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, zinc, and cadmium. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said emitted ultraviolet radiation is utilized to illuminate a structure for a nanoimaging application. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said emitted ultraviolet radiation is utilized to polymerize a photoresist coating on a surface. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further steps of:
 positioning a nanoparticle at a selected position on said nanowire prior to said irradiating step; and 
 immobilizing said nanoparticle at said selected position following said irradiating step. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said nanoparticle is selected from the group consisting of a quantum dot, a dye-infused nanobead, and a biomolecule. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , comprising the further step of positioning and immobilizing more than one nanoparticle at selected positions on said nanowire. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , comprising the step of utilizing electroosmotic flow control during said positioning step for moving said nanoparticle to said selected position. 
     
     
       10. A method of fabricating a nanodevice, comprising the steps of:
 providing a nanowire including a first portion and a second portion, said nanowire having a polymer coating; 
 providing a nanostructure proximate to said second portion of said nanowire; 
 irradiating solely said first portion of said nanowire with near-infrared radiation, thereby exciting said first portion to generate ultraviolet radiation; 
 guiding the generated ultraviolet radiation from said first portion along said nanowire toward said second portion so that a region of said polymer coating on said second portion is polymerized and bonds said nanostructure to said nanowire. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said region of said polymer coating that is polymerized and bonded to said nanostructure is intermediate opposing ends of said nanowire. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said nanowire bonded to said nanostructure form a nanodevice having a T-shaped configuration. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , comprising the further steps of:
 positioning a nanoparticle at a selected position on said nanowire prior to said irradiating step; and 
 immobilizing said nanoparticle at said selected position following said irradiating step. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nanoparticle is selected from the group consisting of a quantum dot, a dye-infused nanobead, and a biomolecule.